Origins

Christian Perspectives on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design

Introducing

Origins: Book & DVD

Deborah and Loren Haarsma offer free study videos, recommended resources, and short articles that expand on topics covered in their book Origins: Christian Perspectives on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design. The six-session study videos are available for viewing free from this site, or as a DVD with small group discussion guide. A copy of Origins is recommended for each small group participant.

Free Video Online

Origins Sessions 1-6

These films were made possible through the support of a grant from The BioLogos Foundation's Evolution and Christian Faith program. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of BioLogos.

Chapter 1

Worldviews and Science

Articles

Scientists of Faith
– Quotes from scientists through the centuries who believed in God and saw their belief as completely compatible with their scientific work.

Genetic Evidence for Evolution
– Three examples of genetic evidence for evolution: the organization of genomes, sweet receptor pseudogenes, and sections of genes called introns.

Questions Sometimes Asked About the Theory of Evolution
including:
1.
If the theory of evolution is correct, shouldn’t we see animals that are half-cat/half-dogs alive today?
2.
The second law of thermodynamics says that entropy (disorder) is always increasing. Doesn't this contradict the theory of evolution, which says that the orderliness and complexity in living organisms are increasing over time?
3.
Doesn’t evolution predict that changes in lifeforms should be gradual? Aren’t there big gaps in the fossil record where new lifeforms suddenly appear?
4.
Can evolution really produce big changes, like changing fish into reptiles or reptiles into birds?
5.
The first lifeforms were simple and single-celled, but modern life is more complex. Can evolution explain how life got more complex over time?
6.
Can evolution explain how life got started in the first place?

Recommended Resources

More on the scientific evidence for the theory of evolution presented from a Christian perspective

Alexander, Dennis. Creation or Evolution: Do We Have to Choose?
Kregel Publications, 2009.

Chapter 10

Intelligent Design

Articles

Is the Evolution of Complexity Improbable?
– Evolution is often oversimplified in textbooks and the media, but the actual process of evolution appears capable of producing complexity in at least some situations.

But What About . . . ?

Articles

1. Since the Bible tells us how God made the world, why do we need to listen to science?
2. Haven’t Christians always believed in a young earth and a six-day creation?
3. Is it ever appropriate to change one’s interpretation of Scripture to match science?
4. Isn’t a non-literal interpretation of Genesis 1 just a slippery slope to denying the resurrection?
5. If Genesis 1 should be understood literally, what is the “firmament” created on day two?
6. Why didn’t God just tell us about the Big Bang and evolution in Genesis?
7. Is it better if we can make the events of Genesis 1 line up with what science says, or if the message of Genesis 1 is independent of what science says?

8. How strong is the evidence for an old earth? For evolution?
9. Are the Big Bang and evolution just beliefs promoted by atheists to get around God?
10. Are scientists biased against religion and against God?
11. How can scientists be sure about the Big Bang and evolution if no one was there to see them?
12. Is there any scientific evidence for a young earth?
13. Could God have created the earth recently and made it appear old?
14. Can the scientific evidence for an old earth also be made to fit a young earth model?

15. An old earth would mean millions of years of animal pain and species extinction. Didn’t God create the world perfect at the beginning?
16. How could God call creation good if it included destruction, pain, and extinction?
17. Does evolution reward selfishness?
18. Did death exist before the Fall?
19. Does a non-literal view of Adam and Eve deny important doctrines about original sin and salvation?

20. Why would God use such a long, slow process when he could have created everything instantly?
21. How could it have all happened by chance?
22. If evolution is true, doesn’t God seem weak and uninvolved?
23. Does evolution imply that God doesn’t do miracles?
24. Shouldn’t there be some sort of proof in nature that God created it?
25. Would humans be less significant if God created us through common ancestry with animals rather than through special miracles?
26. How do I worship God if God used slow natural processes instead of miracles to create each animal and plant?

List of Christian scholarly societies
compiled by the Office of Faith Integration at Azusa Pacific University. This list includes several organizations of Christians in the sciences as well as other academic fields.

More on educating children and youth

Brouwer, Sigmund.
Who Made the Moon? A Father Explores How Faith and Science Agree
. Thomas Nelson, 2008.